The motto, "The more you give, the more you get" is the essence of Seung-Hee Rhee's story.

At an early age, Seung-Hee was inspired to become a doctor, just like Dr. McCoy from Star Trek and Dr. David Livingstone - a Scottish missionary, abolitionist, and physician known for his exploration of Africa and discovery of Victoria Falls - whom she read about in a book. Add the "subtle" wish from her grandfather for a doctor in the family and Seung-Hee's destiny was decided, she would become a doctor and help people! Many years later, her childhood dream came true. After graduating from NYU College of Dentistry, she joined a small group practice in NYC where she worked ten hours a day, six days a week as a general dentist. Seung-Hee also taught part-time at NYU College of Dentistry as an Associate Clinical Professor and was the President of NYS Academy of General Dentistry in 2013-2014.​Then, her busy life came to a screeching halt. In June 2015, Seung-Hee felt a lump in her left breast. Despite a clean mammogram in November 2014, she was diagnosed with Stage 1A invasive carcinoma in July 2015.

Seung-Hee decided to have a lumpectomy, followed by four cycles of chemotherapy (ABRIANYCIN and CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE) every two weeks and 15 cycles of radiation therapy. Her oncologist initially wanted to treat her with a second round of chemo called Taxol as an additional precaution, but due to its potential side effect of numbness in the fingertips which would be detrimental to her career, Taxol was removed from the regimen.

Upon the recommendation of her doctors and the onslaught of treatment and doctor's appointments, Dr. Rhee reduced her hours to five hours a day, four days a week, and took a leave of absence from teaching at NYC once the treatment started. As she prepared for her treatments, her unusual absence from work did not go unnoticed. Seung-Hee decided whatever the outcome, she needed to inform those who would be affected. Little did she know, the disclosure would lead to the source of her support.

Seung-Hee first informed the members of her group practice. Her manager burst into tears. But their support was immediate and wonderful, as they volunteered to take on any emergency cases her patients may have. Then Seung-Hee informed her Department Chair at NYU who told her to focus on getting well, assuring her she could come back to teach the following year. Her Jewish “big brother”, a colleague and supervisor at school joked, if he saw her face in the clinic, he told her, “I’m going to have security escort you out!” Coinciding with the Breast Cancer Awareness month, the staff and her students dressed in pink and threw Seung-Hee a get well party with two cakes on her last day of teaching.

Next, came her patients. Seung-Hee was concerned about telling them, fearing they would go elsewhere. But her patients already began noticing her abnormal last minute cancellations and were concerned. Rather than having her patients worry and speculate, Seung-Hee decided to let them know.

The advice Seung-Hee received included an hour long informative talk from one of her patients, a breast cancer survivor, who told her, “Doc, you are going to lose your hair, not only from the top of your head, but from everywhere!” Another patient, a cancer survivor, told Seung-Hee to call him if she ever felt like cursing and having “Why me?” moments.

Seung-Hee also broke the news to her sisters, So-Jung and Se-Ryeong, who became pillars of strength and were with her every step of the way. When they went wig shopping, they told her the wig looked even better than her real hair. After much outrage and denial, Seung-Hee had to agree. Her brothers-in-law, Stephen and Michael, assured her she will not be going through this alone. To her friends and extended family, Seung-Hee broke the news via emails and Facebook. Support and good wishes came from across the country at the speed of the internet. Her friends texted her from different time-zones on sleepless nights, making her laugh and feeling grateful. Then finally, it was time to break the news to her parents.

​Along with her mom's awesome cooking, her parents surprised her in special ways. Beautiful orchids from her father are the attraction in her living room along with a pumpkin from her mother!

With all this tremendous support, Seung-Hee adjusted to her new schedule and the treatment. And with the changes she's made to her schedule came a new perspective on life.

Seung-Hee has much to look forward to, both professionally and personally.

Seung-Hee is truly grateful for all the good wishes and prayers. She firmly believes they were an integral part of her treatment process. She has no regrets for going public with her battle to fight breast cancer. It not only made her thankful for all the wonderful people in her life but it also made her stronger!

Author

Born in Rochester, NY, I am the third daughter of a Chinese immigrant family-a "scorpio" and a "rat" in the Chinese zodiac. A passionate civil rights attorney for almost three decades and a "scatterbrain" adjunct professor at two universities, I am active connecting my community service, legal background, and education of our future leaders. I enjoy meeting people, biking, dragon boat racing, cross country skiing, and travel. I still collect clowns and teacups, but stopped collecting "mice" awhile ago!